Innovative Device to Facilitate and Ease the Stresses Inherent in the Shoveling Process

ABSTRACT

The instant invention is an innovative device designed to reduce the stress and strain on an individual&#39;s back that are associated with the shoveling process. The device is comprised of a shovel receptacle holder, a base plate, a base pad with a hard outer shell that contours to an individual&#39;s leg, and straps that hold the assembled device to the leg. The device is practiced by attaching the assembled device to an individual&#39;s leg; placing a shovel handle in the shovel receptacle holder; and then engaging in the normal shoveling process. However, instead of using the back to lift the shovel, the device allows the individual to use the fulcrum property to facilitate the shoveling process. This is accomplished by the individual pushing down primarily on the rear part of the shovel handle while lightly lifting the front of the handle thereby lifting the front end of the shovel. In so doing, the lifting is accomplished primarily by the downward motion of the arm, the upper leg, and the fulcrum property of the instant invention and not by an individual&#39;s back. A lightweight version of the device is also disclosed wherein the shovel receptacle and shovel receptacle holder are combined into one integrated piece.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application61/331,369.

FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device designed to significantly easethe stresses and strains upon an individual inherent in the shovelingprocess. More particularly, the instant invention is a simple leveragingdevice that acts as a flexible fulcrum about which a shovel can act as alever. The device straps on the upper leg above the knee to help anyperson of any age use any shovel, or tool with a handle (for example, ahoe) that requires lifting, moving or transporting materials (earth,snow, rocks, gravel, etc.) more effectively. The device achieves maximumleverage by redirecting the main locus of pressure from the lower backand onto the upper leg. In so doing it can reduce and prevents thelikelihood of strain, stress, pain or injury to the lower back when usedappropriately. While the instant invention is demonstrated by use of ashovel, it is equally applicable to any type of implement that requireslifting such as a pitchfork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a device that is designed tosignificantly ease the stresses and strains upon an individual inherentin the shoveling process. More particularly, the instant invention is asimple leveraging device that acts as a fulcrum for a shovel. The devicestraps across the upper leg and serves to help any person of any age useany type of shovel, or tool with a handle (for example, a hoe) thatrequires lifting, moving or transporting materials (earth, snow, rocks,gravel, etc.) more effectively. The device achieves maximum leverage byredirecting the main locus of strain and pressure from the lower backand onto the upper leg. In so doing it can reduce and prevent thelikelihood of strain, stress, pain or injury to the lower back. Whilethe instant device can be used for a variety of long handled tools suchas shovels, hoes, rakes, etc., the functions and benefits of this devicewill be illustrated by describing the functioning of the device with ashovel.

A variation of the instant invention is the lightweight version thatattaches to the belt of an individual and does not require a base plate.The lightweight version would be used for light implements such as asmall shovel that do not require the same degree of structure or “liftcapacity” that a regular shovel or snow shovel would require.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the device 10; including the shovelreceptacle 15; the shovel receptacle holder 20; the base plate 25; thepad 30; holding straps 35; primary welded lock washer and bolt 40; smallnuts 45 on the shovel receptacle holder; and larger nuts 50 on the baseplate. The pad 30 is contoured to fit snuggly against the upper leg. Thestraps 35 hold the pad and the rest of the device firmly against theupper leg. The base plate 25 is a rigid structure which is firmlyaffixed to the pad 30. The shovel receptacle holder 20 is connected tothe base plate in such a manner that it can rotate or swivel about theconnection mechanism.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device 10; including the shovelreceptacle 15; the shovel receptacle holder 20; the base plate 25; thepad 30; holding straps 35; primary welded lock washer and bolt 40; smallnuts 45 on the shovel receptacle holder; and larger nuts 50 on the baseplate.

FIG. 3 shows the device 10 attached to the leg of an individual andfurthermore shows a typical snow shovel attached in the shovel holder.Also shown is the basic utility of the device. As the individual pressesdown on the rear of the shovel, the fulcrum provided by the instantdevice results in the front of the shovel being elevated and liftingalong with it the snow or other material that the shoveler desires tolift. The downward motion of the rear arm coupled with the fulcrumeffect significantly reduces the amount of stress and strain on theshoveler's back and shoulders and can significantly reduce injuries topersons engage in shoveling activities.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device 10 showing an alternate mode ofattaching the shovel receptacle 15 and shovel receptacle holder 20 tothe base plate 25, namely a rivet 60 with one side 55 welded to the baseplate 25. The protective pad 26 covers the welded area.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the lightweight version of the device110 showing the reduced size shovel receptacle 115; the base plate 135;the pad 136 flat hex set socket head Allen shoulder bolt 130; theorifice 137 through which the shoulder bolt goes and tee nut 140. Othermeans of attaching the base plate 135 to the shovel receptacle 115 canbe used as the user desires.

FIG. 6 shows a partial view of the lightweight version of the device 110without the reduced size shovel receptacle and the shovel receptacleholder. This partial view shows the base plate 135, pad 136, orifice137, upper thigh strap 140, lower thigh strap 145, vertical straps 120and the belt 131 to which the straps are attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a device that is designed tosignificantly ease the stresses and strains upon an individual engagedin the process of shoveling. More particularly, the instant invention isa simple leveraging device that acts as a fulcrum for a shovel or anyother type of long handled device that is designed to move dirt, snow,gravel or any other type of loose material. The device is essentially aholder onto which a shovel handle is placed. The holder is attached to aplate and pad in such a manner that the holder can swivel. The plate/padassembly is secured to the straps across the upper leg and serves tohelp any person of any age use any type of shovel, or tool with a handle(for example, a hoe) that requires lifting, moving or transportingmaterials (earth, snow, rocks, gravel, etc.) more effectively. Thedevice achieves maximum leverage by redirecting the main locus of strainand pressure from the lower back and onto the upper leg. In so doing itcan reduce and prevent the likelihood of strain, stress, pain or injuryto the lower back.

A base pad is the foundation of this device. The base pad can be made ofa variety of soft cushion-like materials. Additionally, the base padpreferentially has a hard shell on the outer side of it to which theshovel receptacle is attached. It can be of varying thicknesses and isoptimally from a quarter to three quarters of an inch in thickness. Itis strapped across the leg or around the waist and optimally across theupper part of the thigh. This base pad is similar to a knee pad and iscurved so that it fits comfortably over the leg or optimally the thigh.The Base Pad varies in size, but may be approximately 6 inches by 6inches, but it may vary in size from as small as 4 inches by 4 inches toas large as 6 inches by 8 inches.

The base pad has several vertical slits and optimally four that are bigenough for a strap to fit through easily. There is generally one slit ineach corner. The straps can be run through the slits such that they fitsnuggly and around the upper leg or thigh and are held in place withpull strap connectors or some other similar type of connector (includingVelcro). By using the adjustable straps, they can be let out to fitthose with thick legs, and fit over all types of pants (including denim,workmen's coveralls, and snow pants in the winter). Because it isadjustable, it may also be pulled taught and snug to fit more petiteusers.

The instant device may also be used with a padded waist strap which isplaced around the waist and acts as the upper strap portion of thedevice. The padded waist strap is in addition to the upper thigh strapin this case to ensure the device is held up. This waist strap can befed through the two or more existing vertical upper slits in the baseplate for the pad. The base of the unit uses the same base strap.

In addition to this basic use of the padded waist strap, an alternatemode of the device is the addition of two or more adjustable horizontalstraps that run from a padded waist belt down to the top of the device,where it is connected to two or more new horizontal slits in the upperend of the padded unit. These vertical straps are adjustable and allowthe user to move the base pad up and down their thigh until it is in theright place to fit the shovel for maximum lever power and advantage. Afurther alternate mode of the device is to add an adjustable andvariable height component to the base plate so the shovel lever holdercan be adjusted to be further away from the upper leg.

On the top or outer side of the hard outer shell of the base pad is abase plate to which the shovel receptacle is attached with two or moreand preferentially four flat head screws and nuts. The base plate isgenerally made of a hard metal such as steel. It may be made of plastic(PVC) or other materials. In other new iterations, the entire shovelreceptacle may be attached to a single plastic base plate directly.There is a hole in the middle of the base plate through which the mainconnector (generally a bolt with a nut) connects the base plate to theshovel receptacle holder. This base plate always rests on the hard outershell of the base pad to prevent chafing and/or injury to the user.

The main connector may be a nut and bolt in which the nut is welded orotherwise affixed to base plate. The main connector connects the shovelreceptacle holder to the base plate in such a manner that shovelreceptacle holder can rotate or swivel around the connector. Theconnector allows the shovel receptacle to rotate between 20 and 60degrees and preferentially between 30 and 37.5 degrees to the left andright in a single plane from its resting position which is perpendicularto the top of the base plate (total movement range is approximately 60to 75 degrees) so that users may reverse it for use on left or rightleg. This main connector may also be a rotating ball, which would alsohave the same restrictions (60 to 75 degrees) of movement to the leftand right, but which would have added a toggling up and down movement tothe front and the back of the device (approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch) so thatit allows easy movement for the shovel receptacle holder. This allowsthe shovel receptacle holder to more easily receive the shovel bydemonstrating give and then tilting backwards as the user presses downon the top of the handle, thereby creating leverage.

The shovel receptacle is a section of lightweight tubing or othersimilar product that is approximately two inches or larger in diameterso that it can easily allow a shovel handle to fit into it. The tubingsection is approximately 33 to 40 percent open such that a shovel handleor other garden tool handle can easily slip into the opening but noteasily slip out again. The shovel receptacle has a fairly highcoefficient of friction such that a shovel handle placed into thereceptacle will not move axially during use. The shovel receptacle isembedded in a shovel receptacle holder which is section of rigid plasticor lightweight metallic pipe. This pipe section is also approximately 40percent open such that the shovel receptacle can fit easily into theshovel receptacle holder. The shovel receptacle is attached to theshovel receptacle holder with a multiplicity of small bolts and nuts orother similar attachments. The shovel receptacle/shovel receptacleholder assembly is attached to the base plate as with the main connectoras is described above. In other iterations, the shovel receptacle maynot need a shovel receptacle holder and may be attached directly to thebase plate with a bolt. This device can be used on the right or leftthigh depending on the preference of the user (left handed or righthanded, or merely wishing to switch during work) and the shovelreceptacle holder can be rotated so work on either thigh in order toease pressure on the back. Alternately, the device can be used with aBase Plate and pad attached or suspended from the waist.

Referring to FIG. 1, the various components of the device 10 are shownin a front view; including the shovel receptacle 15; the shovelreceptacle holder 20; the base plate 25; the base pad 30; holding straps35; primary welded lock washer and bolt 40; small nuts 45 on the shovelreceptacle holder; and larger nuts 50 on the base plate. The contouredaspect of the base pad 30 allows the device to fit snuggly to a person'sleg or thigh. The base plate 25 is attached to the base pad 30 with twoor more large nuts 50 or other similar means of attachment. The shovelreceptacle holder is attached to the base plate with a main connectorwhich is preferentially a primary welded lock washer and bolt. Thisallows the shovel receptacle holder to swivel while still attached tothe base plate. Finally, the entire base pad/base plate/shovelreceptacle holder assembly is held firm on an individual's leg with theholding straps.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the device 10 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 3, actual usage of the device 10 is shown as it isattached to the leg of an individual and furthermore shows a typicalsnow shovel 70 attached in the shovel holder. Also shown is the basicworking of the device as the individual presses down on the rear of theshovel in order to lift the front of the shovel and therefore the snow.The swiveling fulcrum property of the device clearly shows how stressand strain on a person's back is transferred to the larger and strongermuscles and bones in an individual's upper leg. The utility of thedevice 10 is obvious from this FIG. 3 as it clearly shows the manner inwhich much of the weight of the empty or loaded shovel 70 is transferredfrom the arms and back of the shoveler to the device 10. In a normalshoveling motion, the shoveler engages the material that is to beshoveled with a forward motion and then uses back, shoulder, and armmuscles to lift the entire weight of the shovel and the engagedmaterial. This puts tremendous stress on said back, shoulder and armmuscles. When the instant device 10 is used, the shovel 70 rests in theshovel receptacle 20 thereby transferring much of the weight from theloaded or unloaded shovel ultimately to the upper leg of the shoveler.When the shovel is lifted, the shoveler lifts up with the forward arm 77and presses down with the rearward arm 79. The upward lifting of aloaded shovel places a great deal of stress and strain on the back andarms; however the downward motion of the rearward arm is a much lessstressful motion than upward lifting and therefore reduces overall backand arm strain.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate version of the device 10 is shown witha revised connector, namely a rivet 60 that is inserted through theorifice 57 and welded to the base plate 25 at 55.

Referring to FIG. 5, a lightweight version of the device 110 is shownwith an alternate means of attaching the shovel receptacle/shovelreceptacle holder apparatus 115 to the base plate. The alternate methodof attachment embodies a flat hex set socket head Allen shoulder bolt130 that is inserted through an annulus 137 and is engaged and held inplace by a tee nut 140. It is important to note that the lightweightversion employs a combined single piece shovel receptacle/shovelreceptacle holder apparatus 115 while the standard version comprises twoseparate pieces that are joined mechanically. Other means of mechanicalattachment of the shovel receptacle/shovel receptacle holder to the baseplate can be employed as desired by the manufacturer or user.

Referring to FIG. 6, a partial view of the lightweight version 110 ofthe device is shown. The shovel receptacle is not shown in order to showhow the lightweight version is suspended from a belt 131 with two ormore vertical straps 120. Also the orifice or annulus 137 through whichthe fastening mechanism extends is shown.

1. A device to significantly reduce the amount of stress and straininherent in the shoveling process by transferring weight from the backto the upper leg comprising the following: a. A pad b. One or morestraps that attach the pad to the upper leg of the shoveler c. A baseplate that is fixedly attached to the pad by mechanical means d. Ashovel receptacle into which a shovel or other tool handle can be placede. A shovel receptacle holder f. A means of fixedly attaching the shovelreceptacle to the shovel receptacle holder such that a single integratedshovel holder assembly is produced g. A means of attaching theintegrated shovel holder assembly to the base plate such that theintegrated shovel holder assembly can rotate and swivel about theattachment.
 2. A means for utilizing the device disclosed in claim 1comprising the following: a. Attaching the device to an individual'supper leg b. Placing a shovel handle portion of a shovel into the shovelreceptacle c. Engaging the material to be shoveled by placing the shovelinto or under the material d. Placing the forward hand on the front partof the shovel handle and the rear hand onto the rear part of the shovelhandle. e. Lifting up on the forward part of the shovel handle with theforward hand and forward arm and pressing down with the rearward handand arm on the rearward part of the shovel handle, thereby allowing theshovel to swivel about the fulcrum produced by the device, andtransferring much of the weight from the back to the upper leg.
 3. Alightweight device to significantly reduce the amount of stress andstrain inherent in the shoveling process by transferring weight from theback to the upper leg comprising the following: a. A pad b. One or morestraps that attach the pad to the upper leg of the shoveler c. A onepiece shovel receptacle d. A means of attaching the one piece shovelreceptacle to the pad such that the integrated shovel holder assemblycan rotate and swivel about the attachment.